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Earwigs

Language
English

Common earwig (Forficula auricularia), adult, male

Photo: René Limoges

Tabs group

Description

Depending on the species, these elongate insects either have four wings or are wingless. Their long antennae are nearly half their body length. They are easily identified by the well-developed cerci located on the end of the abdomen. Females have long, straight-sided, stocky cerci, while males have narrower and strongly curved cerci.

Life cycle

The females lay their eggs in crevices or debris, and protect them until they hatch. Immature earwigs look similar to adults, only smaller and without wings.

French name

Forficules (perce-oreilles)

English name

Earwigs

Class

Insecta

Order

Dermaptera

Habitat/Diet

Habitat

These nocturnal insects shelter in crevices, debris, bark and other protected areas during the day.

Did you know?

Interesting facts

Earwigs earned their name because they were once thought to crawl into human ears to chew on eardrums. This myth may have come from the fact that they look for small dark cavities in which to hide. Perhaps one did exceptionally take refuge in someone's ear, but the human ear is not an earwig habitat!

If handled carelessly, a male earwig can give a sharp pinch with his cerci, which he usually uses to attack his prey, scare his enemies and defend himself. These appendages also play an important role during courtship and mating.

Some earwig species have special glands located at the base of the abdomen that secrete a foul-smelling defensive liquid when the insect feels threatened.

Depending on the species, earwigs are herbivores, detritivores or omnivores.

The common earwig is the most abundant earwig in North America; this species was introduced from Europe, where it is often found in gardens. These omnivores are beneficial when not overly abundant, so the goal should be to control their populations, not eliminate them entirely. Check your garden at night with a flashlight to determine if earwigs are present. Plant damage can be extreme and looks much like slug damage; the main difference is that slugs will leave a slimy trail behind. There are a number of easy, “green” ways to control earwigs. Here are a few: